Turku Favorites

Favorite thing: The "Kauppatori", the market, is the place i "felt" the most in turku.
It is really nice to walk around the stalls and stop sometimes to buy something.
Here you can find fruit, good fish but also t-shirts and other stuff.
Don't miss it if you go to turku.

Favorite thing: To see some of the more beautiful parts of Turku, get down to the river Aura and see the Forum Marinum with its ships, the restaurant boats, the cathedral and just the generally nice and green atmosphere. You can walk all the way to/from the harbour if you like.

Favorite thing: Another place on the shore is Saarronniemi where you may have baths in the sea around the year. But in summertime it's at its best. It is situated on Ruissalo island close to the downtown. By bus 8 you may reach it in 20 minutes.

Favorite thing: Stroll along the river Aura which is one of the best ways to explore the town. Between the Cathedral in the east and Turku Castle in the west many interesting old buildings and museums can be found. Near the Castle is the Forum Marinum with a few museum boats including a vessel and a minelayer.

Favorite thing: Turku is Finland's oldest town (official foundation was 1229) and it used to be the capital for 500 years.

In 1812 tsar Alexander I moved the capital to Helsinki because in his opinion Turku was too close to Sweden.

The cathedral was built in the 13th century. From its clocktower the bells "declare" christmas peace every christmas eve.

In 1827 a fire destroyed the whole city apart from Luostarinmäki - which is an area which is located on a hill.

The town was rebuilt after plans of C. L. Engel. Yes, that's the same guy who designed Senate Square in Helsinki.

Favorite thing: Being located close to the centre of Turku (4 KM), Ruissalo has been a popular recreational area from historical times!

The Ruissalo island harbours the largest broad-leaved forests of Finland. Nearly 200 years old oaks are common on the island, and other wood species on the island are birch, alder, pine and spruce.

There are beautiful old wooden houses built in the mid-1800s', the botanical garden, a health SPA-HOTEL RUISSALO: www.saga.fi/ruissalo/english_index.html , a camping and beach.

The oldest rock-festival in Finland (30 years): RUISROCK is also held there every year (check the site for dates!)

Favorite thing: IIn the course of centuries, this Castle (1280 - 1560) has witnessed numerous changes.

Maintaining its position as one of the most popular sights, the Castle today also houses a great variety of events.

The history of Turku Castle goes back to the 1280's. In the course of the centuries, a fortified base built for the royal governor of Finland and his troops gradually expanded into a massive grey stone castle not to mention that the most popular part of the Castle is the prison of Erik XIV!

Considering the Turku Castle has been attacked, sieged, burned and bombed for the better part of it's 700 year history, it´s amazing it's still standing at all.

Favorite thing: Everyday from very early in the morning until 1-2 am the market place is filled with activity.
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On one side near the oldest theatre in Finland THE SWEDISH THEATRE is one entrance to the HANSAQUARTER, a modern shopping mall with 200 shops, small cafes and restaurants.
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THE MARKET HALL
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A charmant covered red-bricks building with 50 merchants inside
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Open: Mon-Thurs 8 am-5 pm
Fri 8 am-6 pm
Sat 8 am-3 pm
Summer Saturdays 8 am-2 pm
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Address:
Eerikinkatu 16, 20100 TURKU